Pride 2024: 12 of the world's most welcoming LGBTIQ+ cities

Everyone chant, “Love!”

Join us as we explore vibrant cities across the globe that warmly celebrate the LGBTIQ+ community, adorned with sequins and confetti. These destinations know how to embrace life’s festivities—be it through electrifying drag performances, lively street parties that attract massive crowds, or pulsating nightclubs that keep the celebration alive until dawn.

Join us as we journey to some of the most open-minded, inclusive, and welcoming destinations worldwide. Here, you can genuinely express your pride.

1. London, United Kingdom

Pride 2024: The largest Pride event in the UK and one of the biggest globally, London Pride is set for June 29 this year.

Essential LGBTIQ+ area: Soho, located in London's West End, has long been the heart of queer culture in the city. Today, it continues to thrive as a vibrant hub for LGBTIQ+ bars, shops, and clubs.

For centuries, London has been a vital center for queer culture, tracing back to the 18th-century “Molly Houses,” where LGBTIQ+ individuals gathered. The city remains a lively queer hotspot, boasting a rich underground scene with events like those hosted by Cybil’s House.

A must-see for any LGBTIQ+ traveler is the Admiral Duncan, a gay pub in Soho that was the target of a homophobic bombing by a neo-Nazi in 1999. In the wake of this tragedy, it transformed into a symbol of resistance and resilience, a role it continues to embody today.

Discover London’s queer heritage on this walking tour

2. Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA

Pride 2025: The 7th annual Pride celebration in Provincetown is scheduled from May 31 to June 2, featuring an exciting array of events including the town's iconic parade, a comedy showcase, a 5k race, yoga classes, and much more.

Essential LGBTIQ+ destination: The whole town! Provincetown is a vibrant hub for queer culture. At the easternmost tip of Cape Cod, it has served as a summer retreat for the LGBTIQ+ community for over six decades. With lively parties at A-House and (technically illegal) nude sunbathing at Herring Cove Beach, there’s endless fun to be had. Time your visit to coincide with one of the town's many queer festivals, including Bear Week, Girl Splash, and TransWeek.

14 ways to experience all that Provincetown offers

3. Auckland, New Zealand

Pride 2024: Located in the southern hemisphere, Auckland celebrates its Pride event in February. But it’s never too soon to start planning for 2025!

Essential LGBTIQ+ district: Karangahape Road, affectionately known as “K Road” by locals, is the heart of Auckland’s LGBTIQ+ nightlife. Many residents kick off their night at The Eagle, a laid-back pub that welcomes everyone from the LGBTIQ+ community. Next, a stop at Family Bar, just across the street, is a must—offering a club atmosphere with a lively dance floor and regular drag performances.

New Zealand is renowned for its friendliness and inclusivity, boasting strong anti-discrimination laws and having legalized same-sex marriage since 2013. Since then, the country, particularly its vibrant cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, has become one of the most LGBTIQ+-friendly places in the world.

Explore Auckland’s top neighborhoods

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Pride 2024: Puerto Vallarta Pride is set for May 20–26 and is among Mexico’s largest Pride celebrations, attracting a lively mix of locals and visitors alike.

Essential LGBTIQ+ area: Emiliano Zapata, also known as Old Town, is the hub of Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant queer nightlife. However, the entire city is a welcoming destination for LGBTIQ+ travelers, making it hard to find any part of town that isn’t inclusive.

Over the years, Mexico has increasingly embraced LGBTIQ+ inclusivity, with Puerto Vallarta emerging as one of the country’s most progressive cities. Major resorts welcome LGBTIQ+ guests, and there are even exclusive options like the Almar Resort. For socializing and connecting with the community, the choices are limitless—from the beachy, open-air Mr Flamingo to the comic-themed Blondies Loft + Slushbar, and the chic La Noche. Don’t forget the stunning beaches, with Playa de los Muertos celebrated as PV’s “gay beach.”

Exciting day trips from Puerto Vallarta

5. Barcelona, Spain

Pride 2024: Scheduled for July 18–21, the official lineup and details for Barcelona Pride 2024 will be announced soon.

Essential LGBTIQ+ district: Located in the heart of Barcelona, L’Eixample is one of Europe’s largest LGBTIQ+ neighborhoods, affectionately known as “Gaixample.” Here, you’ll discover LGBTIQ-owned salons, bookstores, saunas, cafes, bars, restaurants, sex shops, and more.

Spain has long led the way in LGBTIQ+ rights, having legalized same-sex marriage in 2005 and implemented various laws to protect and ensure equality for the queer community, including nonbinary and trans individuals. Platja de la Mar Bella is Barcelona’s top gay beach, known for being clothing-optional, where most beachgoers embrace the freedom. Among the many LGBTIQ+ venues, Arena Classic is a beloved lesbian bar that serves as a local cornerstone, while the Warhol-inspired club Candy Darling invites partygoers to dance until dawn—and sometimes beyond.

20 free activities to enjoy in Barcelona

6. New York City, New York, USA

Pride 2024: One of the world’s largest Pride celebrations, NYC Pride ramps up in late June, culminating in the spectacular Pride March on June 30, which attracts nearly 2 million participants. To kick off the festivities, don’t miss Queens Pride in Jackson Heights, a dazzling parade and street party in one of the most diverse neighborhoods globally.

Essential LGBTIQ+ district: No LGBTIQ+ trip to New York City is complete without a visit to the West Village. This historic area was the site of the Stonewall uprising in the summer of 1969, when patrons of the Stonewall Inn resisted a police raid, sparking the modern gay rights movement.

New York has a rich history and a deep bond with the LGBTIQ+ community—both sorrowful (as it was the heart of the HIV/AIDS crisis) and celebratory (Harlem introduced the world to ball culture). Any queer traveler here cannot help but feel this connection.

Today, LGBTIQ+ individuals often flock to Hell’s Kitchen on Manhattan’s west side, where Ninth and Tenth Avenues are filled with LGBTIQ-owned eateries, barbershops, cafes, and bars, proudly displaying rainbow flags. Popular nightlife spots include the vibrant Industry bar and the playful, country-themed Flaming Saddles Saloon, where bartenders in short shorts frequently two-step atop the bar.

Drag icon Lady Bunny shares tips for enjoying the West Village

7. Berlin, Germany

Pride 2024: The highlight of Berlin’s month-long Pride celebrations, which begin on June 28, is Christopher Street Day on July 27. This annual festival is Germany’s largest Pride event, named in honor of the street in Manhattan where the historic Stonewall Inn is located.

Essential LGBTIQ+ district: The core of Berlin’s LGBTIQ+ community is found in Schöneberg, home to gay and lesbian bars since the 1920s, making it one of the oldest gay neighborhoods in the world.

Berlin boasts a captivating LGBTIQ+ history. In the 1920s and 1930s, queer culture thrived here before being nearly annihilated by the Nazis during World War II. After the war, the community had to rebuild from scratch, ultimately giving rise to the vibrant and dynamic scene we see today.

Renowned for its nightlife, Berlin is famous for clubs where revelers dance until dawn at iconic venues like GMF or Berghain (good luck getting in!). But the city offers much more than just dance floors. Its Gay Hostel provides a unique lodging option exclusively for LGBTIQ+ individuals under 38, creating a welcoming environment where you’re likely to make new friends. Additionally, the Schwules Museum stands out as one of the few museums worldwide dedicated to exploring and preserving LGBTIQ+ cultures' history.

The new era of Berlin’s club culture

8. Sydney, Australia

Pride 2024: Capitalizing on the southern-hemisphere summer, Sydney’s signature Pride event is the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, held in February. Save the dates: the next celebration is from February 14 to March 2, 2025.

Essential LGBTIQ+ district: The center of gay Sydney is Darlinghurst, conveniently situated near the central business district and easily accessible via the city’s public transport system.

Australia has a long-standing reputation for being inclusive to the queer community, with Sydney gaining international acclaim for its welcoming atmosphere. The city features a lively LGBTIQ+ nightlife scene, including the expansive three-story Stonewall Hotel, alongside a rich cultural landscape that honors LGBTIQ+ art and history. The Darlinghurst Bookshop has been a staple for queer literature, magazines, and films since the 1980s, and Sydney also hosts the annual Queer Screen film festival.

Explore all of Sydney’s top beaches

9. Toronto, Canada

Pride 2024: Toronto’s Pride festivities feature a parade, lively parties, and a popular street fair from June 28–30, offering a relaxed and family-friendly Pride atmosphere.

Essential LGBTIQ+ district: Queen St has been Toronto’s main LGBTIQ+ hub for decades, famously known as the filming location for the US adaptation of the iconic drama Queer as Folk.

Canada is renowned for its welcoming nature, regarded as one of the friendliest countries globally. Woody’s, Church St’s oldest LGBTIQ+ venue, has been a cornerstone of Toronto’s queer community since 1989. For a unique Toronto experience, check out Buddies in Bad Times theater, a queer performance space that transforms into a nightclub on off-show nights.

Top 5 independent shops in Toronto

10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pride 2024: July 27–August 4. Amsterdam Pride offers one of the most distinctive celebrations worldwide, with its parade taking place on boats gliding through the city’s iconic canals.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+ neighborhood: Although LGBTIQ+ venues are scattered throughout this renowned progressive city, much of the vibrant scene is concentrated in the Reguliersdwarsstraat neighborhood, right in the heart of town.

The Netherlands was the first nation globally to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, and it continues to be one of the most LGBTIQ-friendly countries, thanks to its robust anti-discrimination laws and policies that safeguard civil rights for the queer community.

Established by the flamboyant lesbian impresario Bet van Beeran in 1927, Cafe ’t Mandje remains a cornerstone of the city's queer culture, featuring an eclectic decor and a welcoming atmosphere. If you're in the mood for late-night escapades, EXIT Café is a lively LGBTIQ+ bar open later than most, perfect for night owls seeking an unforgettable evening. First-time visitors should swing by Pink Point, a dedicated LGBTIQ+ information hub offering tips, recommendations, and insights about queer life in the city.

Your essential guide before visiting Amsterdam

11. Palm Springs, California, USA

Pride 2024: With its year-round warm climate, Palm Springs Pride occurs later than most, this year scheduled from October 31 to November 3.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+ neighborhood: All of Palm Springs embodies an LGBTIQ+ hub. The queer community is so prominent that neighboring towns like Cathedral City and Palm Desert have seen rising LGBTIQ+ populations, each hosting their own unique Pride celebrations.

During Hollywood's golden age, actors and industry insiders flocked to Palm Springs for relaxation. Many of these visitors were reputedly LGBTIQ+ artists seeking a private retreat. This ambiance persists today, with a variety of LGBTIQ+ resorts throughout the area, many of which are clothing-optional. For a taste of the vibrant nightlife, be sure to visit long-standing favorites like Chill Bar and Hunters.

Must-see attractions in Palm Springs

12. Tel Aviv, Israel

Pride 2024: This year, Tel Aviv Pride will be celebrated on Friday, June 7, and is cherished by both locals and international guests.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+ neighborhood: Although the chic city of Tel Aviv lacks a designated “gayborhood,” it is welcoming to LGBTIQ+ individuals throughout. In fact, a 2016 report by the Boston Globe stated that approximately 25% of the city's residents identify as LGBTIQ+, making it one of the most vibrant gay destinations worldwide.

Despite much of Israel maintaining traditional social values, with no legal recognition for gay marriage, Tel Aviv sets a different tone. Take Hilton Beach, for example, a popular spot for the LGBTIQ+ community, often bustling with bronzed, Speedo-clad sunbathers. Another favorite among locals and visitors alike is Shpagat, a lively club that guarantees you'll connect with new people.

Stunning rooftop bars in Tel Aviv